[Oops, there I go with the redundant language again. And damn. I said Fuck. Well, it's late.]

Editor and Publisher:

[Brian] Tierney led the formation of the Philadelphia Media Holdings, which announced today its purchase of the Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News from McClatchy for $562 million.

Tierney told the Inquirer last month that he was proud of his "passionate" work to promote the Republican Party and the Catholic Church. He also said he had "independent" views and did not wish to impose partisan views on the newspapers.

Oh? I hear the Ben Franklin bridge is for sale!

According to one of his online bios, "Early in his career, Brian worked in Washington, D.C. for the Republican National Committee and was a Presidential appointee to the U.S. Small Business Administration." The president was Reagan. His P.R. firm designed the Web site for the Republican National Convention that nominated George W. Bush in Philadelphia in August 2000.

Tierney served as national head of Catholics for Bush in 2000 and has been active in other Republican campaigns. He served as chairman of Sam Katz's unsuccessful run for mayor of the city in 2003.

[Former Inky Editor Robert] Rosenthal called the leader of the investment group, Brian Tierney, a "fierce advocate who is used to getting his own way....I can't imagine a guy like Brian Tierney taking a back seat and letting things get in the paper that he is unhappy with," Rosenthal told E&P just hours after the deal was announced. "He was a very fierce advocate for his clients, there was nothing subtle about him -- elbows and knees."

My word! Hold on to your hats, people!